RFD: Hydrant maintenance no cause for concern
Photo by Alison James
RFD’s Philip Williams begins a little maintenance on a hydrant near RFD Station 1. The RFD will be conducting different maintenance measures on hydrants throughout the city through the end of March.
Beginning Feb. 16 through the end of March, the Russellville Fire Department will be inspecting, cleaning, testing and repainting fire hydrants across the city.
According to RFD Rhett Bradford, these maintenance measures are undertaken by the RFD annually to ensure superior fire protection services to the community and as part of maintaining a high ISO rating, which impacts homeowners’ insurance rates.
As a side effect of the work taking place, Bradford said people should be aware that water discoloration could occur from faucets throughout their home for a short period of time following the maintenance of hydrants near a person’s house.
“It could change the color, make the water a little dingy for the time being,” Bradford said. “It’s just for a short time, and then it goes back to normal. It’s nothing that’s going to hurt anybody.” Any discoloration should dissipate within 24 hours; any discoloration lasting longer than that should be addressed with the water department.
